An iconoclast often compared to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut found ways to
wring humor out of the apparent meaninglessness and absurdity of human
existence. His novels, frequently set in alternate worlds, are a blend of
science fiction, social commentary and personal philosophy; many have
become countercultural classics.

Vonnegut’s most famous work,
“Slaughterhouse Five” (1969), was based on his experiences during World
War II. Leaving Cornell to join the Army, he was sent to Germany, where he
was soon captured and held prisoner in Dresden. When the Allies unleashed
their firebombs on the city in 1945, Vonnegut was safe in an underground
meat locker, making vitamins with other prisoners. This surreal experience
was relived by Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist of “Slaughterhouse Five”.

Back from the war, his writing career got off to a slow start.
He took on a series of jobs, (including police reporter, GE public
relations worker, Saab car salesman, and special needs teacher) and began
publishing short stories and novels. His first novel, “Player Piano”
(1951), and the two that followed were largely ignored or dismissed as
bizarre by the critics. But with the publication of “Cat’s Cradle” in
1963, his distinctive style and satirical commentary attracted many fans
and he soon became a cult hero. The book, eventually a bestseller,
established Vonnegut as a literary figure the critics could no longer
ignore.

His other major works of fiction include “Breakfast of
Champions” (1973), and “God Bless You Mr. Rosewater” (1965). He also wrote
short stories, plays, and nonfiction, including the recent bestseller “A
Man Without a Country” (2005), a work that includes commentary on the Bush
administration.

Vonnegut was married twice, the second time to
photographer Jill Krementz, who remained his wife until he died. He had
three children with his first wife, and adopted a child with his second.
He also adopted his sister’s three children after she and her husband
died.